Ser or Estar … Dying to Know the Answer? (A1-C1)
When students first learn that there are two very different forms of 'to be' in Spanish they are often confused and perhaps even a little annoyed! "But why!?" is a very common reaction! Yet grasping the difference between 'ser' and 'estar' is often a watershed moment in the Spanish acquisition journey!
Podcasts, in Spanish!
Podcasts can be seriously entertaining, funny, informative - and a wonderful resource for practising your Spanish!
Check out El Patio's Spanish podcast recommendations. There's something for every level!
Which Course or Workshop for my Level in the Summer Intensives?
¡Yupi! 2022 is the year of learning Spanish! (well, every year is ... but this year is THE year). And the Summer Intensives are an excellent way to get things started. If you're wondering whether to take a Conversation Course or are thinking about completing the next level up in two weeks, here's where to find out which options are right for you.
Hernán
En el trimestre 4 (Term 4, 2020) El Patio ofrece un curso de conversación de nivel intermedio alto/ avanzado/superior (B1/B2/C1), en torno a la nueva serie "Hernán" que actualmente se emite en el canal de televisión SBS. La coproducción hispano-mexicana corresponde al periodo histórico que va desde la llegada de Hernán Cortés a la costa mexicana hasta la caída de la ciudad de Tenochtitlan, la actual Ciudad de México. Lee más ...
El tesoro (B2-C1)
The Treasure recounts the story - mixing fiction and reality - of the discovery in the late 19th century of the most important legacy of Visigothic Hispania*. Due to the complexity of the case and its ramifications over time, we are giving an outline of some historical facts in the hope of provoking curiosity about a story as unheard of as it is true.
*Hispania is the name given by the Romans to what is now Spain.
*The Visigoths were a Germanic people who occupied Hispania between 507 and 711, the year of the Muslim invasion.
El Patio Photography Competition 2020
Calling out to all Instagram fanatics, travel photography whizz-kids and landscape framing afficionados - here's your chance to get more than just 'likes' on Instagram for your efforts! Enter into our photography competition and we will display your beautiful piece for an entire month in both of our centres AND you could win a whole 15 hour course!
To make it both more fun and fair - the winner will be selected by popular vote: a people's choice award!
Read how to enter here! (It's super easy)
La alcahueta (B2-C1)
La alcahueta es un homenaje a la obra de "La Celestina. Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea" de Fernando de Rojas (siglo XV), figura que tiene su precedente en el "Libro de buen amor" del Arcipreste de Hita (s. XIV). El cuento también pretende ser una crítica a un tema muy de actualidad: los vientres de alquiler. *esta imagen es un retrato de la Celestina de Pablo Picasso
Elephants and light bulbs - why we fear grammar and how to learn to love it
Leaping out at us from the pages of our textbooks, grammar is often feared and is often the 'elephant in the room'. But grammar isn't meant to be scary. In fact, it's something we're naturally good at. Grammar is part of our daily lives and is part of what makes us human.
The Surprising Benefits of Being a Beginner
What is it to be a beginner? Is it something we get to leave behind? And if not, then how might the attitude of being a beginner help us as we learn?
El adiós de Anisa (B2-C2)
Ana's latest story takes place during the final moments of Moorish Spain - in 1492 - a time when the world was changing fast. Written for students at advanced levels, it follows the exile of a young woman named Anisa, her hopes for her family of birth, but also the love she has found with her new kin.
Ana has crafted the story to reflect the time in which it is set, using words and expressions that trace the origins of Spanish we use today (if you look closely you'll see where of the terms ustedes and ojalá come from).
A beautiful story for anyone with an interest in the history of the Spanish language and in this pivotal point in the history of Spain.
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Gift Voucher $350
Easy! Surprise your Spanish-learning friends, family or colleagues with a Gift Voucher. A voucher may be for a full course or to go toward a course fee or even for texts. Once you have purchased…
